"It's not so much deferring, because in past situations where I didn't take the last shot, I felt guilty. I want this game-winning shot, but also, you want to trust your teammates. Not that I didn't trust my teammates, but I felt like I was the best option."Los Angeles Lakers Face Masks

While the NBA expects positive COVID-19 cases throughout the 2020-21 season, league sources told ESPN there isn't a specific number of positive cases or a precise scenario that could cause a game to be canceled or postponed.New York Knicks Face Masks

"It's always been something that, when I've been in the Finals, that comes out to try to distract me from my mission. So I was already ready for it ... I've always been prepared to know that there's going to be something said or done to try to knock me off of my mission," James said. "When I was seeing that and I read it, and then I got the full transcript and I heard it, I was like, 'Man, f---.' I was like, 'Are you f---ing kidding me?' ... I was like, 'God damn.'"Minnesota Timberwolves Face Masks

"You talk openly. You talk freely. But because we live in a clickbait society, it becomes something bigger. You don't have to defend it. That's just what media is. ... It's entertainment. I'm not going to let it put me against anybody anymore at any point. Because that's not what it's about. ... Don't have to put me against anyone else! It's never been about that. It's about the love. Peace."Philadelphia 76ers Face Masks

Teams would be reluctant to give up the assets required to get a player of Harden's caliber without confidence that he would be willing to remain with that franchise when he can opt out of his contract following the 2021-22 season. Few contending teams have the ability to furnish Houston with the combination of assets that it's seeking to consider dealing Harden.

The memo, which was obtained by ESPN, says that flexibility applies to teams playing back-to-back games and presents examples of possible scenarios, including, "to rest a key veteran player who played a substantial role on a team that advanced deep into the 2020 Playoffs, or to rest a player who is still returning to full strength after recovering from COVID-19."

"Why must it always be brother against brother ... why?" Irving said in early October. "If I'm addressing anyone, I'll say their name. Come on, y'all. Don't listen to the false narratives. Let people live their lives! It's just a game.